Scotland want to 'inspire' at T20 World Cup

Sarah Bryce has been a key performer for Scotland for the best part of a decade

Scotland want to inspire the next generation in their first appearance at the Women's T20 World Cup, according to wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce.

Craig Wallace's side will face Bangladesh, West Indies, South Africa and England in Group B of the competition, which is being held in the United Arab Emirates because of civil unrest in Bangladesh, the original host nation.

Bryce says the reality of being at a World Cup has not quite hit but is relishing the prospect of playing on a bigger stage than Scotland are used to.

"When we were growing up, we didn't get to see a women's team at a World Cup, so hopefully that will be something special for people to see and watch," the 24-year-old said.

"If they can see us playing and enjoying it, hopefully that will inspire a few people.

"It's definitely starting to feel a bit more real, especially when we all met up at the airport - you start to realise what you're going to.

"It hasn't fully sunk in yet. It's going to be a different level to what we play usually. Hopefully we can be competitive and show where we're at."

Scotland beat Ireland in the semi-final of the tournament qualifier earlier this year to make the World Cup and Bryce says they must aim to replicate those displays.

"It's important we keep doing what's helped us get here in the first place," she said.

"Even though we're now at a World Cup, we keep doing what got us here, make the most of the experience and really enjoy it. Hopefully that can help us play our best cricket.

"It's exciting, the challenge of playing some of the best teams in the world."

They have shown they are up to the challenge already. In their warm-up matches leading into the tournament, they have beaten United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, they won one and lost one in two matches against the West Indies, before being well beaten by Sri Lanka.

Bryce - who made her Scotland debut aged 15 - played four T20 World Cup qualifiers before this year's success and says she never doubted the Scots would finally reach a global showpiece event.

"Definitely always hopeful," she said. "I remember my first qualifier back in 2015 and that really sparked that desire to make it to a World Cup.

"We've always believed we would make it at some stage and it's difficult when you keep having those disappointments, so to be able to make it this time was incredible."

Bryce - along with her sister and Scotland captain Kathryn - returned to their old school in Edinburgh before travelling to the UAE to talk to current students about their journey to professional cricket.

"It was a bit of a throwback going back to school," she said. "A lot of where I am today is down to PE teachers getting us involved and playing boys cricket early on.

"Going back was nice, seeing how it has grown as well. Seeing how many girls were playing cricket was incredible."

Scotland's T20 World Cup schedule

3 October: Bangladesh v Scotland, Sharjah (11:00 BST)

6 October: West Indies v Scotland, Dubai (15:00)

9 October: South Africa v Scotland, Dubai (11:00)

13 October: England v Scotland, Sharjah (11:00)